VOLVO

Try being 5'2" and trying to hit the top gears! That really sucks!

 

You mean the transmission was a quarter of the way under the dash on the 379? Or are you talking about the 386?

 

I think you're a little confused. There's no way the engine on a 379 is 1/4 under the windshield.

 

Its not much but i hope this might help. I drove a volvo for two weeks, yeah yeah i know not long! It was a job helping out a friend of the family,a farmer with his fertilizer. they had brand new volvo with a volvo engine, the big engine they make, and it was a beautiful truck, went like dog #### off a hot shovel in the sun! the guy who drove it couldnt say a bad word about it. the truck i got was at the other end of the "new" scale ! I dont know what the model was but it was the same looking as basicly every volvo, not much help there either. anyway, it had a detroit engine with a bad exhaust leak , a broken left rear leaf spring and a realy bad offset in the steering wheel. in one day i changed the leaf spring, replaced the cracked flex pipe and rusted and holed elbow on the exhaust, I couldnt seem to get the steering wheel how i wanted it though. hit all the grease points and changed the diff oil . now being on the farm we do it all ourselves and dont take it to a shop unless we realy need to. i had no problems doing this work except im a bigger guy and had trouble getting to the flex pipe under the rear of the cab for the exhaust leak. it was the same as working on any type of machinery, some parts were easy to get at and others harder. I hauled super b trains,62500kg, of liquid fertilizer and the truck handled it fine. the steering wheel was a bit off centre so that was a pain but otherwise it did the job like any other truck would. the driving position was nice and comfortable tough the climate control was a bit hard to get just right. would either freeze on the windows or be too hot. It was minus 25 to 30 celsius the whole time hauling. the drivers view is the best ive seen and the turning radius is excellent. I would say that if i was in the market for a tractor i would definately look at a volvo especially if doing any sort of delivery in tight spots. engines seem to be a personal preference, i trust an older cat as ive used them in other applications not just trucks, ive also had good experiences with volvo engines in other applications as well. as far as im concerned the newer engines detract from the whole point of a diesel , electronics and diesels where not supposed to mix! the main advantage of an older diesel, whatever manufacturer, is the simplicity of mechanical functions over electronic. if it was me i would buy an older well maintained unit over a new one. anyway you buy whatever you feel confident with, treat it right and it will see you good for years. the best advice i can give is to get regular oil analysis done and coolant analysis as well, use the best quality oils and fluids you can afford. keep it clean, this is a big part of things wearing out, especially when sand and salt start getting into things that move. keep it greased, wipe off the excess, and keep up on the little things before they get to be big things. we work the #### out of the equipment on the farms and they handle it so the proofs there that they can take a beating, should handle the highway just fine!

 

get a volvo i have one not older than 06 because for egr valve yes cummins engine isx 475 hp not less, 13 speed you are gone hear a loats of stories abaute volvo some of the stories maybe true like i said i have one and i'm happy with it .goog lock